Daffy's Stitchy Friends

Saturday, December 21, 2013

The Totally Useless Stitch A Long 2014

The 2014 TUSAL is launched!

Save those ORTs!

What is an ORT? ORT or ort ~ Capitalized, it stands for Old Ratty Threads. These are the cast-off thread ends a needleworker cuts away. These ends are often saved in clear jars as a decorative object. The word, "ort" does appear in the dictionary, meaning: a bit of something left over; usually concerning food.

Why would you save ORTs and why on earth post a picture on your blog? Not everyone saves them. Some stitchers just toss them in the trash or let them decorate the sofa and floor. Sometimes this inadvertent decorating draws ire from those living with us. Saving these clippings in one place creates a random tangle of lovely colored thread. Posting a photo of this pile is "progress" of a sort and thus, the Totally Useless Stitch A Long was born.

If you would like to join the Stitch-A-Long:

1. Comment on this post.

2. Get a glass jar or other container and save your thread clippings. Some stitchers include fabric trimmings, thread bands or any other stitching cast-offs they gather. You may continue filling this jar throughout the year OR you may empty the jar and start over each month ~ no firm rules here!

3. On (or about) each New Moon take a picture of the ORTs in your jar and post it to your blog. This is a blog game so YES, you MUST have a blog to be included.

4. Yes, you can use your current ORT jar or jars. This is no contest...the stitcher with the most ORTs doesn't win!

5. You should post a picture each New Moon, even if there has been no "progress" to show. We are aiming for "once a month" here...no whippings for being late, early or absent!

6. When you have posted the picture of your ORTs visit my blog and comment on my ORT report for that month's TUSAL. If I have a Totally Useless Giveaway these comments give you an extra entry. Make sure you comment on the right post, a few comments seem to sneak onto other posts!

The New Moon dates for 2014 are:

January 1
January 30
March 1
March 30
April 29
May 28
June 27
July 26
August 25
September 24
October 23
November 22
December 22

In years past, I have made up a "guest list" by adding a blog link list for everyone that joined ~however~ this year I probably will not do that. It takes hours and hours and hours of visiting blogs, editing the post, checking links, editing the post, correcting mistakes, editing the post. I'd much rather be stitching or visiting your blog on a recreational basis. Therefore, consider your comment to be your entry. Make sure either your profile is set to "open" so people can visit your blog or leave a link to your blog in your comment.

A request: I notice there are a lot of bloggers completely in the dark about your Totally Useless posts. They see lots of people posting pictures of ORT jars but they have NO IDEA why. They might want to join in the fun too! Please put a LINK to THIS sign-up page when you make your TUSAL posts. A link in your sidebar is great but ONLY if your readers SEE it and realize what it is.

If you want to add the TUSAL link gadget to your sidebar (in Blogger): right click on it and save the photo to your computer, go to your blog's layout and choose "add a photo" and put the address to this 2014 TUSAL post in the link option. Upload the photo and save.

A shout-out on your blog to let other stitchers know about the Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long would be greatly appreciated! Plus, please change the links in your sidebar to this new post!

Yes Please !!! I fell by the wayside in 2012 (left the husband of 25yrs) and it has taken me until this month to settle back to a system of stitching, where I don't feel pressurised or a feeling of obsessively stitching - it's become a pleasure again.I fully intend to spend 2014 returning to the blogging fold and would love to start the new year with my TUSAL !!!

Count me in for 2014.I joined in your TUSAL on November 2012, "disappeared" for quite a few months during 2013. Let's hope that 2014 will be a better year and that I won't miss any of our meetings. Happy xxxes and a Happy New Year.

I have a large jar to start, with very few orts at this stage. However I'm sure to have more as the year progresses.Here is a link to my TUSAL jar, at my blog, below. http://www.sublimepastimes.blogspot.co.nz Kay.

I read this several days ago and have been mulling it over, and I'm in! I have a jar that I just emptied at the start of December, but I think I'll empty it again as I start the new year's projects and see how it goes. Maybe I'll even do two - one for my CQJP and one for all the other stitching!

Just found TUSAL and have been noticing these for years so I've decided to join in on the fun. I recently joined a Just Nan SAL and picked up 2 clear plastic ornaments from Joann's to keep ORT's in. I though it'd be neat to see my progress over the year and hang it on my tree next Christmas as a reminder of all that I've accomplished.

Stumbled across this SAL by accident this morning, and this really intrigues me. I always hate seeing all those colorful little threads being tossed - but had no idea what I could use them for. So I will give it a try. I posted it to my blog as well. : )

Only just found this after following links on the Smalls SAL.Would love to join in - better late than never. I know I'm a few days late this month but you seem very relaxed about the rules of engagement.I have an Ort Jar and will take a photo and post it on my blog http://stitchwitchhazel.blogspot.co.uk/I've already added the TUSAL sidebar.Thanks